715 



the * Linnean Transactions,' the base of that plant descends no lower 

 in the roots and stems of the vine on which it grows. The same 

 thing is also represented by Blume in the figures of Rafflesia and 

 Brugmansia in his ' Flora Javae,' and by Mr. Griffith in the figures of 

 his Sapria in the ' Linnean Transactions.' Indeed, this we might ex- 

 pect would be the case, since the proper juices of the plants which 

 nourish the parasites, abound only in the outermost layers of new 

 wood. 



This seems the proper place to introduce some remarks by Mr. 

 Brown, with regard to the organs of vegetation of the rhizogens, and 

 the nature of their connexion with the stock. 



" Connected with this point a question may also arise, whether the 

 earliest effort of the seed after its deposition in the proper nidus, by 

 whatever means this is effected, may not consist in the formation of 

 a cellular tissue extending laterally under the bark of the stock and 

 capable of producing the fully developed parasite. 



" This question might not occur in regard to E,afl3esia and Brug- 

 mansia, in both of which the individual plants are in general suffi- 

 ciently distant on the root of the Vitis to make it probable that each 

 developed parasite is produced from a distinct seed. But in Pilos- 

 tyles, and even Cytinus, where they are closely approximated, their 

 possible origin from one common basis or thallus is more readily sug- 

 gested, especially on considering that in the former genus, which is 

 dioecious, each group of parasites is generally, perhaps always, ex- 

 clusively of one sex ; and that these groups, often of great density, 

 not unfi-equently surround completely the branch of the stock. But 

 although this view did occur to me as not very improbable, and as 

 tending to remove some of the apparent difficulties, I have never been 

 able to trace any substance decidedly distinct from the proper tissue 

 of the stock : there are, however, some appearances favouring the hy- 

 pothesis in both genera, especially in Pilostyles, but which require 

 careful examination in the living plants." — Linn. Trans, xix. 232. 



And further, on the nature of the connexion of the Rafflesiaceae 

 with what Dr. Brown calls " the reticulate base," he says, — 



" This I ventured to consider a production of an intermediate kind, 

 or rather as one derived from the stock or root of the vine, but excited 

 and determined in its form and nature by the specific stimulus of the 

 parasite. I expected, therefore, to find it existing in the form of a 

 covering to the bractese in the early state, as in Cytinus. This point 

 has been fully confirmed, and is well shown in Mr. Bauer's drawings 

 of the very young buds." These figures represent four buds of the 



